Extractions: exciting , dammit. It's the play that gets you to clench your fist and yell "Yeah!" (even if you're alone watching on TV). A key RBI in a tight spot is often the high point of a close ballgame. I believe the backlash that the RBI has received in the analysis community arises from the general public's overrating of the stat. It's true that some mediocre players have racked up some pretty impressive RBI totals. And likewise, often the best hitters will not be found among the league leaders in RBI. Ok, that's fine: the RBI is not a particularly good measure of batting abilty. But, it is one of the best things to see on a ball field, so it merits some attention. The Players' Opinion The RBI has always been held in high esteem by players, managers and coaches. Hank Greenberg , one of the top RBI men of his generation, recounted to Lawrence Ritter his view of the RBI. From the incomparable The Glory of Their Times I've always believed that the most important aspect of hitting was driving in runs. Runs batted in are more important than batting average, more important than home runs, more important than anything. That's what wins ball games: driving runs across the plate.

Carlos Delgado -- Latino Legends In Sports If you had a son you d like him to be like Carlos, former Blue Jays manager Cito Gaston. The ball explodes off his bat. It sounds louder off his bat http://www.latinosportslegends.com/Delgado_Carlos-bio.htm

Extractions: "If you had a son you'd like him to be like Carlos," former Blue Jays' manager Cito Gaston. "The ball explodes off his bat. It sounds louder off his bat than anybody elses" says NY Yankees ace Roger Clemens. Related Info For Carlos Delgado, playing in Puerto Rico was a dream come true Puerto Rico hosts MLB's season opener. Toronto Blue Jays vs. Texas Rangers Carlos Delgado grew up playing baseball in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. His father Carlos Delgado Sr. is a retired drug and alcohol counselor and his mother Carmen worked for as a medical lab assistant. As a youth, Delgado played baseball because as he said "everybody plays baseball." But he actually wanted to play professional volley ball. His father then told him, "where do you see Puerto Ricans playing volley ball." He changed his mind and stuck to baseball. Delgado comes from a solid background and he credits his parents for instilling values and confidence in him when growing up. They are "always there for us to give advice or just to say no."

Extractions: And yet, writers and broadcasters from all across the country are beginning to hype the Twins' leadoff hitter as just that. Never mind that Stewart had only one month where his OBP ventured above .370. Never mind that Stewart's .283 Equivalent Average ranks ninth among American League left fielders. And never mind that Stewart wasn't even the most valuable player on his own team, according to VORP. What matters to the voters is that Shannon Stewart plays for a winning team, and that his arrival somewhat coincided with the Twins' resurgance in the AL Central. Needless to say, from an objective standpoint, Stewart's MVP argument holds water about as well as Nate Silver holds his liquor. While Stewart was certainly a valuable addition to the top of the Twins' lineup, he's not the high-percentage base-stealer that he once was, and he simply doesn't hit for power, especially on the road. According to Keith Woolner's calculations, Stewart was roughly the 57th best position player in the American League this season, on par with the declining John Olerud and a couple of Devil Rays.

2005 Draft 2, 21, Tim, delgado_carlos/FLO, Chris I wanted to pick him he was supposed to last a little more. 2, 22, Benneter, Kent_Jeff/LAN http://homepage.mac.com/prophet/OOOL/OOOL2005Draft.html

Extractions: <ul><font face="Arial,Helvetica" size=2><li><strong>1881</strong> - In a game in Albany, Troy's <A HREF="http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=connoro01">Roger Connor</A> hits the first grand slam in National League history. The blow comes off Worcester's <A HREF="http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=richmle01">Lee Richmond</A> with two out in the bottom of the ninth inning and wins the game 8-7.</P> <li><strong>1918</strong> - Players on both sides threaten to strike the World Series unless they are guaranteed $2,500 to the winners and $1,000 each for the losers. They back off, however, when told they will appear greedy while their countrymen are fighting World War I. On the field, <A HREF="http://www.baseball-almanac.com/players/player.php?p=vaughhi01">Hippo Vaughn</A> comes back with two days of rest for the Cubs and blanks the Red Sox 3-0 in Game Five.</P>